Causes of delinquent behaviours among Juveniles: the case of street children in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania
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Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
In recent years there has been an acute increase of delinquent behaviours by children and youths particularly those who were living in the city streets. A lot of unusual deeds such as theft, aggression, robbery, drug abuse, vandalism and behaviours related to sexual immoralities were commonly done by these children as juvenile delinquency. In the light of this reality, the researcher of this study aimed at identifying causes of juvenile delinquency as well as finding means to alleviate the problem among juveniles by reflecting the socio-economic environment in Tanzania, the case of Dar es Salaam region. The study involved 40 respondents in different categories. Firstly, were street children who lived in the city streets and some who were in the centres. Secondly, Staff from two selected centres, Hananasif and Dogodogo, and finally community members who lived in areas where juvenile delinquency was rampant. Different information was obtained from respondents through questionnaires, interviews, as well as focus group discussion which was finally subjected to frequencies and content analysis technique. The findings revealed that majority of delinquents were dropout teenagers living with single parents both in urban and rural areas. Risk factors leading to delinquent behaviours included parental negligence, poverty, child labour, child abuse, parents’ misbehaviours as well as divorce and separation. In the view of the findings it was concluded that, juvenile delinquency was a gradual and continuous process started from unfavourable environment in the family to the rate of being unmanageable; therefore, there was a need for collective efforts between families, community and the Government in dealing with juvenile delinquency.
Description
Available in printed form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HV9055.T34.M36)
Keywords
Juvenile delinquents, Street children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Citation
Mauki, C. (2007) Causes of delinquent behaviours among Juveniles: the case of street children in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.